My mum has been offered Vinorelbine (Navelbine®)as her next chemo option after spread to her lungs and a tumor obstructing her throat and causing difficults swallowing. Has anybody else had any experiences of this chemo and can tell me their experiences? I did search the forums but nothing obvious came up in search. Unfortunatley rads is not an option as there is an overlap but her other option is to have stems put down her throat to hold everything open - has anybody had anything like this? On top of the throat and lungs she already has secondaries in her bones, lymph nodes and extensive skin mets which she is now only recieving palative care for as she hasn’t responded well to any of the chmo given for secondaries. She has a meeting for a ‘chat’ with her oncologist tomorrow and has to decide which treatment option to go for so I’m sure she would appreciate hearing anybody elses experiences.
Just bumping this - I have seen that chemo mentioned here before, so someone must know something about it. So sorry your mum is having such a rough time.
Yes, my Mum had the same spread to her lung and it affected breathing and swallowing. The chemo is tough, very strong and she will feel ill on the day she takes and the next couple of days. My Mum found it didn’t really work for her lung mets and if anything it weakened her.
It is Oral but very, very strong.
My Mum did not respond to it, she did not respond to any of them but she was very weak. She has almost passed away now and solely on palliative care. Stents were not an option for my Mum.
Keep your mum eating and strong and be ready with a sick bucket on chemo day!
Hi Gingerbear
Sorry to hear your mum isn’t doing very well. I’m worried about my mum being on such strong chemo when she is so weak and tired already. She still hasn’t decided which option to go for and I don’t think the stents would be a long term solution if the lump keeps growing. Shes also very worried that she won’t physically be able to swallow the capsules as she chokes whenever she eats. Although it would break my dads heart (and many others) if she doesn’t keep fighting I think she needs to do whatever she thinks is best for her and I’ll support that choice, no matter how hard!
Thanks for replying
Mum has decided to give the Vinorelbine a go so we keep on fighting! The hospital have also decided to put her on steroids again which will hopefully help with the swallowing probs. I’m sure the last course gave her a bit of a boost so heres hopeing these will as well.
Hi Support4mum
I’m glad the decision has been made - I find that always helps when the plan is in place. Viorelbine has been mentioned as posssibly my next chemo. I do hope the steroids give her a boost - I found they made a big difference to me when I was put on them for a blast and they really picked me up I do hope it’s the same for your mum.
All the best and let us know how it’s going I do hope it helps.
Anne x x
Mum took first dose on Tuesday evening, spent that evening and yesterday in bed feeling terrible but then this moring suprised us all by getting up and going to work. Dad said she seemed much more like ‘her’ usual self. Local hospice are being really helpful and mum now has access to distict nurses on call 24 hours so they can come round and give her injections if she is having trouble swallowing (not sure what of though?) They have also replaced all her tablets apart from the chemo with liquids and patches so hopefully this might relieve some of the swallowing pressures.